Collapsible Pontoon Boat Frame Utilizing Snap Buttons

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises of a novel collapsible, pontoon boat design generally consisting of a side rail system, a frame, and pontoons. The parts are lightweight, durable, and welded together to provide maximum support and usability. All parts are snugly fit together and locked into place with a unique snap button system. The invention offers a unique way to secure into place materials that are not normally used on collapsible designs and yet offer the greatest attributes of strength and safety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pontoon boats and, more specifically, to pontoon boats that may be collapsed into smaller sizes for storage and transportation.

BACKGROUND Problems to be Solved

There is a need for users to have access to a boat, but they often are frustrated because boats require trailers for transport and a vehicle to tow the trailer. Many users also have limited storage space for boats and there is a need for a boat that can be efficiently stored. There is a need for a boat that can be easily assembled where the components of the assembly contain integral fastening and alignment devices so the user can readily assemble the structure without the need for small parts that can easily be lost or damaged. There is also a need for a stable boating experience. Prior art that consist of one or more of the following limitations: Small pontoon boats that do not collapse. Boats which require a plurality of fasteners to be removed for boat storage. Boats which consist of long pontoons limiting storage. Boats too large for a single individual to easily transport and launch. Boats that do not allow for customization and flexibility.

Existing Solutions to the Problem and why they are Different

One option available to users is a modular boating system that can be assembled and disassembled for transport and storage. Expandacraft located at 5102 Gulfport Blvd S. Gulfport, USA (http://expandacraft.com/). The system offered involves a frame comprised of individual pieces of aluminum tubing to create the frame and aluminum planks that fasten to the frame to create the platform. The frame and the plank are fastened to modular pontoons. The components are fastened together using nylon bolts with cotter pins. Holes are pre-drilled in the frame and plank components. The system provides a rigid platform for a boat, but the system is extremely heavy when assembled. The assembly is comprised of several small pieces and there is a strong possibility of losing several of the critical elements. The system is cumbersome to assemble and disassemble resulting in a loss of utility.

A second option available for users is the use of inflatable boating systems. Inflatables can be easily assembled with the use of an automatic air pump. The inflatables can be stored and transported with minimal space requirements. Inflatables can also include a rigid platform made of aluminum planks or water-resistant wood. The significant concern is with the durability of inflatables and the stability of the boating experience. The frames offered require significant assembly with many components that do not contain and integral and reusable fastening and alignment system. There are several suppliers of inflatable systems. Ancheer is one of the suppliers. (http://www.iancheer.com/doc/about-us) They have offices in Los Angeles, Calif. but they are based in China under the company name: Shen Zhen Shi Ou Pa Nuo Ke Ji You Xian Gong Si Address China, Guang Dong, Shen Zhen, Long Gang Qu Ping Hu Jie Dao Fu Xin Lu, Xin Ping Sheng Zong He Lou A Dong 331 Code 18111 Tel+8615814408683

A third option available to the current market are preformed plastic boats of varying forms and functions. These boats can range from the style of a kayak to a more conventional boat design. One major brand company that provides these products as an example is the Sun Dolphin company based out 1790 Sun Dolphin Dr., Muskegon, Mich., 49444, Phone: 231.733.2725 TF: 800.733.2727, Fax: 231.739.4502.

The kayak version of these style boats can be eight feet long or longer which in turn already comprises a storage and portability issue. The boats although versatile in use are very limiting to what you are able to take with you as a consumer. They also require the user to stay seated in one position for their use. As a fishing platform the space to move and maneuver is greatly restricted by the closeness to the water level and the ability to get leverage when trying to catch the fish. These boats greatly require a user to be physically fit to use. The fishing style boat this company offers greatly enhances the fishing experience however they also require a trailer to pull them or a rather large truck to put them in the back portion of. These boats can be ten feet in length and greater and weigh at a minimum of one hundred pounds therefore requiring an extreme lifting experience for the user. Because these boats are of a one-piece design they will never be able to be broken down into a smaller version for ease of use.

A fourth option would be a smaller, conventional pontoon boat design such as the Kennedy mini pontoon boat made by Kennedy Pontoons Incorporated, 423 East 5th Street Centuria, Wis. 54824, (715) 640-6000. Although a smaller pontoon boat design these boats are not made to collapse down into a smaller version of themselves and be reassembled later. These boats require a trailer to pull them. These boats can become cost restrictive for a consumer desiring a pontoon style boat.

Existing Patents that are Similar and why this Invention is Different

Citing US Patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,786A, Collapsible Pontoon Boat

What is unique about this patent? This patent design makes use of slide in place deck panels that sit upon inflatable pontoons. Uses a nut and bolt system for fastening together. What makes the invention different? The frame for this invention is constructed of an all welded, solid design. Pontoons will be of solid construction utilizing plastic and closed cell foam technologies that are considered almost indestructible. The invention utilizes a snap in place system not having any extra parts that can be lost or misplaced.

Citing US Patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,926A, Pontoon Boat Having a Collapsible Form

What is unique about this patent? Folding design. What makes the invention different? This invention is of a solid welded design that separates in to various parts that are held in place by secure and safe holding sections that are then locked into place with a unique snap design system. This invention's railing system has pre-drilled holes that allow for accessory attachment thereby allowing the user to utilize an enormous number of accessories.

Citing US Patent U.S. Pat. No. 2,916,748A, Knock-Down Pontoon Boat

What is unique about this patent? The boat utilizes a smaller to larger collapsing design. Has longer than normal pontoons requiring less mass. What makes the invention different? The invention has side rails for safety and accessorizing later on. The invention does not use a nut and bolt system for locking into place such as the patent does. The invention utilizes a snap in place system not having any extra parts that can be lost or misplaced. The invention utilizes a larger, sturdier pontoon for stability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the completed invention.

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded perspective view of the completed invention comprised of its separate parts.

FIG. 3 depicts a completed perspective view of the invention when utilized with accessories.

FIG. 4 depicts an exploded perspective view of the snap buttons that are used in the design of the invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a close-up perspective view of the snap in place system utilizing the snap buttons before insertion into the preformed slots for holding the part in place.

FIG. 6 depicts a close-up perspective view of an inserted part utilizing the snap buttons.

FIG. 7 depicts a side view of the fully assembled frame utilizing accessory items. Items shown are a Seat, Battery, and Trolling Motor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The terminology used herein, is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “and,” “the,” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below. It is also to be understood that although certain specific materials are described within the following descriptions this does not prohibit this design to being comprised and/or limited solely to or thereof just these materials as described.

The present invention will now be described by referencing the appended figures representing preferred embodiment's. FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the completed invention. The present invention provides a modular pontoon boat assembly that comprises a railing assembly, two swinging gates are within the railing assembly, two frames, and four pontoon supporting arms that are welded and permanently placed within four sections of pontoons that attach to the bottom of the frames. All separate parts are held in place by unique holding sections that are locked in using a metal snap button. The metal snap buttons used are but one style that can be purchased at such companies as Valco Valley Tool and Die, www.valcocleve.com, Part #I140 SS Single End SnapButton.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the invention. The numbered areas within FIG. 2 will be described separately as follows,

-   -   #1 Depicts the back frame that is comprised of various lengths         of 1″ aluminum tubing as well as various lengths and widths of         aluminum sheeting. All parts are welded together and in place.     -   The front section of this frame has a catch rail that the front         frame, item #2 fits into place and is held tight by snap         buttons.     -   #2 Depicts the front frame that is comprised of various lengths         of 1″ aluminum tubing as well as various lengths and widths of         aluminum sheeting. All parts are welded together and in place.     -   #3 Depicts six separate sections of the back section railing         that is comprised of ¾″ aluminum tubing. These six sections of         railing are held in place by holders welded to item #1 and         locked in by the metal snap buttons. Each of the railing pieces         are additionally held together via a male and female style         hooked rod and eyelet that is welded to the tubing. Each railing         piece will also have separate holes drilled through the tubing         to allow for attachable accessories.     -   #4 Depicts four separate sections of the front section railing         that is comprised of ¾″ aluminum tubing. These four sections of         railing are held in place by holders welded to item #2 and         locked in by the metal snap buttons. Each of the railing pieces         are additionally held together via a male and female style         hooked rod and eyelet that is welded to the tubing. Each railing         piece will also have separate holes drilled through the tubing         to allow for attachable accessories.     -   #5 Depicts two gates that feature a male hooked rod that inserts         into a female eyelet located on the railing pieces described in         item #3. These gates are made of ¾″ aluminum tubing and such as         described for the railing pieces will have pre-drilled holes for         attaching accessories.     -   #6 Depicts the two-back section pontoon supporting arms that are         permanently inserted within the pontoons item #8. The arms         sockets will fit around feet welded to the frame described in         item #1. They will be locked into place using the metal snap         buttons.     -   #7 Depicts the two-front section pontoon supporting arms that         are permanently inserted within the pontoons item #9. The arms         sockets will fit around feet welded to the frame described in         item #2. They will be locked into place using the metal snap         buttons.     -   #8 Depicts the two back section pontoons that will be         constructed of marine grade High Density Polyethylene Sheet         (HDPE) that is enclosed and filled with dense closed cell foam.         The front of the pontoon will feature a mechanism that locks the         pontoon section in place with the front section pontoon as         described in item #9.     -   #9 Depicts the two front section pontoons that will be         constructed of marine grade High Density Polyethylene Sheet         (HDPE) that is enclosed and filled with dense closed cell foam.         The back of the pontoon will feature a mechanism that locks the         pontoon section in place with the back-section pontoon as         described in item #8.

FIG. 3 Depicts the fully assembled invention featuring accessories such as a flooring, seat, battery, and motor.

FIG. 4 Depicts the snap buttons that are inserted within the tubing and used as a locking mechanism to hold pieces in place. These snap buttons could be comprised of metal, plastic(s), carbon fiber, fiberglass, nylon, or other solid materials.

FIG. 5 Depicts a close-up view of a railing piece before being inserted into its holder and locked into place using the snap buttons.

FIG. 6 Depicts a close-up view of a railing piece after it has been inserted into its holder and is now locked into place by the snap buttons.

FIG. 7 Depicts a side view of the fully assembled frame utilizing accessory items. Items shown are a Seat, Battery, and Trolling Motor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF IMPLEMENTATION

Pontoon boat with a collapsible frame that is quickly and easily assembled and disassembled. The pontoon boat can be easily stored and transported by the user. The frame comprises a base platform with an integral alignment and fastening mechanism, side rails with an integral alignment and fastening mechanism, a pontoon with an integral alignment and fastening mechanism. Optionally the frame can include a cover for the platform, a cover for the side rails, storage bins integrated into frame openings, a seat(s), a weather cover, a mosquito net, a container for storing and the transporting of the device.

The base platform is made of edge platform sections and center platform sections. The frame can be made of metals such as aluminum or stainless steel, fiber-ed materials such as and or not limited to Fiberglass. Rigid plastics such as polypropylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride or other water and weather resistant composites. To minimize weight, the structure of the frame can be a hollow tube with a circular, square or rectangular cross-section. The structure could also be made of solid or foamed plastic structural elements. The structural elements of the center platform and the edge platform can be fastened together by welding, thermal bonding, adhesive bonding or structural pressure sensitive adhesives with superior shear and peel resistance. Integral fastening and alignment system is incorporated in strategic locations of the edge and

center sections of the base platform. The fastening and alignment system could include a snap button available from Valco Valley Tool and Die, www.valcocleve.com, Part #I140 SS Single End Snap Button. The fastening element could be a cam connector that aligns the two components and tightens by rotation of the cam with a screw driver.

The side rails are made of corner sections and center sections. The side rails can be made of metals such as aluminum or stainless steel. Fiber-ed materials such as and or not limited to Fiberglass. Rigid plastics such as polypropylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride or other water and weather resistant composites. To minimize weight, the structure of the frame can be a hollow tube with a circular, square, or rectangular cross-section. The structure could also be made of solid or foamed plastic structural elements. The structural elements of the side rail corner section and the side rail center section can be fastened together by welding, thermal bonding, adhesive bonding or structural pressure sensitive adhesives with superior shear and peel resistance. Integral fastening and alignment system is incorporated in strategic locations of the side rail corner sections and center sections. The fastening and alignment system could include a snap button available from Valco Valley Tool and Die, www.valcocleve.com, Part #I140 SS Single

End Snap Button. The fastening element could be a cam connector that aligns the two components and tightens by rotation of the cam with a screw driver.

The pontoons are of equal length. They will have the pontoon support frames inserted within them. The pontoons frames will have a female opening that fits onto the male extensions on the underneath of the appropriate corresponding frame section. These will then snap into place utilizing the snap system. The pontoons will each front and back feature a slide into place locking system that is held into place by the pontoon support frames to the underneath of the main unit frames. This locking system will prevent the pontoons from separating unless the pontoons frames have been unlocked from the main frames. The pontoons can be made of metals such as aluminum or stainless steel. Fiber-ed materials such as and or not limited to Fiberglass. Rigid plastics such as polypropylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride or other water and weather resistant composites. The pontoons can be filled with such closed cell foams as polyurethane foam as an example but not limited to. The pontoons could be hollow also utilizing air as the flotation proponent. The pontoons could be of a welded design or of a one piece formed construction. The pontoons could or could not feature wheels and or rollers built into or onto the pontoons to facilitate easier movement for the fully constructed invention.

The invention once fully disassembled could be transported in a bag or bags, a container or containers that are specifically designed to hold the disassembled pieces together as one unit or s multiple units. These bags and or containers could be constructed of a sewn material such as but not limited to canvas, cotton, etc. These bags and or containers could be constructed of such rigid yet flexible materials such as aluminum, and or plastics. These bags and or containers could or could not include ease of movement devices such as wheels, rollers, straps, etc. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A watercraft collapsible from an operative configuration to a compact, transportable configuration, stored within easily stored and moved containers said watercraft comprising:
 1. A body including front, and rear sections on a one-person model. A body including front, center, and rear sections on a two-person model. Said body will include detachable rails of varying heights and widths that may include but not limited to gates, and holes for use as support for accessories. Said rails may or may not be used to support a small motor such as a trolling motor. Said body may or may not allow access to accessories such live wells, battery storage areas, lighting, general storage containers, etc., that may or may not slide into place, lock into place, or fall into place.
 2. A deck section comprised of removable panels, made with a combination of and therein to include, but not be limited to, the contained materials of design such as polycarbonates, plastics, aluminum, pvc, vinyl, wood, Carbon Fiber, Fiber Glass, etc. said deck panels may or may not include outdoor carpeting as a covering.
 3. At least a minimum of (4) to as many as (8) detachable pontoons comprised of and made with the following materials, but not limited to such as Polycarbonates, Plastics, Pvc, Vinyl, Carbon Fiber, Fiber Glass, Closed Cell Foam, Aluminum, etc. Said pontoons will interlock to form one unit per side. The pontoons will break down to be containable within said storage containers. The pontoons may or may not have recessed channels to allow water flow or to contain within drive motors with or without steering capabilities. That may or may not be detachable in use. 